International Rights Groups Urge South Korea to Reconsider Detention of Elderly Religious Leaders

SEOUL — International human rights organizations convened a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club today to raise concerns about freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea. The groups, including Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, highlighted the cases of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, both currently in pretrial detention. The organizations called on South Korean authorities to review these detentions, arguing that they raise questions of proportionality, humanitarian considerations, and due process.

The press conference addressed a broader pattern of concerns in South Korea, including reported harassment of Segero Church in Busan even after its pastor's release, punitive implementation of alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors, public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation issues in educational settings. HRWF has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses in the past, and despite the introduction of alternative service, critics say the 36-month term in correctional facilities—twice the length of military service—is punitive in nature.

Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, opened the conference by stating that the issues "lie at the heart of democratic society," warning that stigmatizing religious communities and restricting peaceful gatherings have consequences that "extend far beyond any single group or case." He emphasized that the conference was about defending the principle that fundamental rights apply equally to all.

Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, questioned whether detaining a 95-year-old is consistent with South Korea's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture, which it ratified in 1990 and 1995 respectively. He stressed that the presumption of innocence must prevail, citing precedents like Cardinal Joseph Zen's release on bail in Hong Kong and Vietnam's house arrest for Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do as more humane alternatives.

Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, presented a legal analysis questioning the necessity of pretrial detention for Chairman Lee, given that evidence may already be sufficient for indictment. He argued that the case raises broader questions about whether measures meant to protect fair elections can be applied without nullifying the right to freedom of religion.

Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, shared findings from recent scholarly investigations in Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, which found increased hostility toward the movement. He noted that Shincheonji is a global religious movement, and disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects congregants abroad, whose rights under ICCPR Articles 18 and 19 are inalienable.

Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR and Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter, said South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee, arguing that international standards like the Mandela Rules would call for house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He described the charges as "legally and conceptually overstretched" and linked to ordinary political participation by religious minorities.

The organizations called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process, proportionality, and equal protection of fundamental rights. At the conclusion of the press conference, the scholars signed an official letter urging the South Korean government to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.